Named after one of Kenya’s most famed politicians, the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital was opened a few years after the country’s independence, in 1969. The hospital was one of the projects aimed at the development of our young and newly independent state, and the hope was that it would help provide free healthcare to all citizens.
Despite being named after one of Kenya’s household names, this treatment facility is more recognisable by its nickname, Russia Hospital.
How the name Russia Hospital came about
The story of Russia Hospital dates back to 1964, when the then Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga travelled to Russia for a meeting with the premier of the Soviet Union at the time, Nikita Khrushchev. The meeting had been organised because the wealthy and powerful Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was identified as a possible development partner for Kenya. So, Oginga Odinga packed his bags and flew to the cold European country, seeking funds to help develop Kenya.
This meeting of the two nations was successful, as it resulted in a hefty donation to build a new hospital in Kisumu Town, amongst other projects. As part of the deal, the hospital was also to be designed and constructed by Russia. The hope was that such a facility would revolutionise medical care in the area and reduce the rate of ailments such as malaria infection which were affecting locals. Construction was completed five years later, in 1969, and the hospital was named New Nyanza Provincial General Hospital. However, owing to its unique architecture and European donors, the hospital was rarely referred to using its official name but was instead referred to as Russia Hospital.
The Kisumu Massacre of 1969
Upon completion of construction, it was agreed that the hospital would be officially opened to the public on 25th October 1969. The opening ceremony was to be one of pomp and circumstance, and it would be attended by the highest political officials in the land, including the president, Jomo Kenyatta. Unfortunately, what was intended to be a joyous occasion turned into a tragic event where many lost their lives.
The event occurred in a climate of political tension, given the deaths of various high-ranking politicians and Jaramogi Oginga’s dissent from Jomo Kenyatta’s government. So, when Kenyatta arrived in Kisumu, he was met with a hostile reception. During the event, a riot broke out, and the Presidential Guard opened fire on the crowds, killing more than 50 and injuring many others.
In the aftermath of the event, the New Nyanza Provincial General Hospital fell into disrepair due to a lack of funding.
A New Era for Russia Hospital
As new governments came into power and policies in the country were changed, the New Nyanza Provincial General Hospital was slowly revived. In 2012, it was renamed the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, in honour of its originator, and to mark its status as one of the region’s teaching and referral hospitals. With a current bed capacity of 710, the hospital continues to expand its services, providing care to a wide variety of patients, including victims of abuse at its Gender-based Violence Recovery Centre.
